J-1 and POE? Please help.

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encorebreak

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

Can everyone please post their experiences with the officers at the POE? I've read that even if you get a J-1 visa, the POE guys can refuse to let you into the US and can have you sent back to your home country right then and there..

What kind of questions do they ask? Do they do it to everyone or only those who they are really suspicious of?

My spouse has a Fulbright scholarship, but is afraid that they might refuse him entry at the POE because of the fact that he is married to a USC.

Do the POE guys let you through for certain if you are on a Fulbright? Has anyone had any problems?
 
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I think your case is very unusual and you will not find other people who would go ahead with Fulbright (and 2 years home residency requirement) when they are already married to USC. I remember a similar posting on this board, I assume it was from your spouse.

I know of people who had Fulbright and then later married to USC and changed their status to F1 with no problems. So I assume, your spouse will be able to enter the US.
 
I'd like to ask everyone here who's been on a Fulbright - is it worth it? I mean, from where I can see it, it seems like such a great opportunity for my husband - the total funding that he'd be getting would be around $100,000 (give or take, depending on the school that he gets admitted into), plus the fact that they'd be helping him get into the schools by applying for him through the Commission. But then, many people are saying that if he can already get a GC, then why bother.. We're seeing the Fulbright scholarship as a chance of getting an awesome education for free, not to mention the other benefits, rather than just a chance to get to the US.

So I'd like to ask everyone here - do they think it's worth it getting their Fulbright scholarships? How much exactly does your life change or improve? Would my husband be better off just forgoing the scholarship and moving to the US this year rather than going for two years on the scholarship, returning to the home country and then going back to the US after two years?

Please give me your views on your own experiences with Fulbright.
 
My Fulbright grant was $10,000 to pay for my living expenses for the first year of study in the Masters program. The rest of my education - finishing Maters and getting into doctoral program - I was on my own. The university is/was not prestigious, but knowing that I will be on ym own after the first year, I chose the university which was providing funding for international students as I wanted to continue with my studies.

Having 2 years home residency requirement was very stressful.

Having Fulbright on my resume - nice, but not necessary for my career.

If your husband is promised full program funding at a prestige university and you do not mind leaving the country for 2 years - then you have a different picture.

I am pretty sure that if Fulbright is going to pay $100,000 for a Masters program - no waiver will be issued.
 
We don't mind about the waiver.

What did they ask you at POE, nemu? Does it help having the Fulbright letter? I mean, does it make them 'feel better' about the fact that you will be coming back to the home country (since you have the 2-year HRR)? Did they have your records?
 
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Yes, it probably varies from country to country. I come from Eastern Europe. I was promised full coverage for everything but only for 9 months. The university ended up paying my tuition, so Fulbright did not have to. If the university would not have agreed to pay my tuition, Fulbright would have done so. I was admitted to two universities, but as I said I chose the one who provides financial assistance for international students cause I was planning on continuing. Besides, as I said, my program was limited to only 9 months from the Fulbright side. After that I was on my own. And yes, Fulbright paid my trip and health insurance. I believe they covered my insurance even for the second year of my Masters. My field of studies is social sciences, so it might be another difference as well.

I do not remember questions at POE, this was in 1997 and I was not married to USC at that time, so my situation was completely different. No visible intention to immigrate at the time. I would not be surprised if they don't even know what Fulbright is. They will only care to look at your visa documents.
I think you are better off getting answers from that friend you mentioned - more recent entry and same country. Do not forget to come back and let us know what happened at POE, I am really curious about this.
 
As soon as we figure out what route to take, I will be sure and give an update on this forum..Thanks for all the help, nemu!
 
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